Jason Asmus is a member and vice-chair of the Business Litigation section. He practices primarily in the areas of:

Banking litigation

Commercial real estate and construction defect litigation

Land use planning and zoning litigation

Business litigation

Professional liability litigation

Environmental litigation

Banking LitigationJason has successfully defended and prosecuted various litigation matters on behalf of financial institutions of all sizes, from local credit unions to large national lenders. His representative experience includes the defense and prosecution of lender liability claims, lien priority disputes, subordination agreement disputes, foreclosure actions, trust disputes, collateral agreement disputes, bank fraud and tortious interference claims, disputes involving agricultural borrowers, replevins, and the appointment of permanent and temporary receivers to preserve and protect collateral.

Commercial Real Estate and Construction Defect LitigationJason has represented landlords, tenants and real estate brokers in various litigation matters, including actions to recover possession of real property, collateral and unpaid rents or commissions and enforcing contractual and statutory rights and remedies. He also has represented real estate development, construction and project management companies in a variety of commercial litigation matters, including the defense of claims involving wrongful death, personal injury and alleged construction defects.

Land Use Planning and Zoning LitigationJason has handled various matters for waste companies, aggregate suppliers, developers and utilities involving challenges and appeals regarding zoning decisions made by governing authorities. He also assists clients in dealing with permit, licensing and regulatory compliance issues, as well as corporate disputes.

Professional Liability LitigationJason represents professionals, including attorneys, accountants, architects and engineers, in defending against claims of professional negligence.

Environmental Litigation Jason has defended clients nationwide against claims of liability and responsibility for environmental contamination, and he has successfully pursued claims on behalf of clients against potentially responsible parties for recovering of environmental response costs.

While in law school, Jason was an associate editor and contributing writer for the William Mitchell Law Review. He has also served as an adjunct professor and writing instructor at William Mitchell College of Law.

Honors & Awards

Minnesota Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyers

Experience

Obtained summary judgment for commercial landlord in action commenced by commercial tenant for alleged violations of a declaration of easements and restrictions and a reciprocal easement and operating agreement. Summary judgment subsequently affirmed on appeal.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of law firm client for lack of causation and damages, resulting in dismissal of all legal malpractice claims asserted by former client.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of law firm client for lack of standing, resulting in dismissal of all legal malpractice claims asserted by non-client. Summary judgment subsequently affirmed on appeal to Minnesota Supreme Court.

Obtained reversal in Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals of trial court judgment that law firm client had breached its fiduciary duty to client and was required to disgorge legal fees earned.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of a commercial landlord on claims for anticipatory breach of a lease agreement, specific performance and declaratory judgment.

Following arbitration hearing, obtained judgment in favor of property owner on all claims involving faulty construction of home.

Represented building owner defending against claims alleging that the building's height violated provisions in operative easement agreements. Obtained reversal of district court's grant of temporary injunction which resulted in favorable settlement.

Represented architecture firm in defending against construction and design defect claims involving condominium projects in San Francisco and Seattle. After summary judgment motions were filed and argued, cases settled on favorable terms.

Defended former officers/directors in complex, securities fraud litigation involving allegations that defendants made misrepresentations in connection with the sale of timeshares and participated in the unlicensed sale of securities.